CJ.,    1300 
Ccmf 

#33S 


Duke  University  Libraries 


D03209791V 


MKSSAGF,  OF  THE  PRESIDENT. 


Richmond,  Va.,  September  24,  1862. 
To  the  Seriate 

and  House  of  Representatives : 

I  herewith  transmit  for  your  consideration,  a  communication  from 
the  Secretary  of  War,  covering  an  estimate  "  of  the  Commissary 
General  of  the  sum  necessary  to  purchase  the  supply  of  flour  for  the 
army,  for  the  ensuing  season."  • 

1  recommend  an  appropriation  of  the  amount,  and  for  the  purpose 
specified.  JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


(:()^■  FEDERATE  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

War    DErAUTMENT, 

Richmond,  Fa.,  September  19,  18G2. 

His  Excellency,  Jetferson   Davis, 

President  Confederate  States  America  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  duplicate  estimates  of  the  Commis- 
sary General,  of  the  sum  necessary  to  ])urcluise  the  supply  of  flour 
for  the  army,  for  the  ensuing  season.  I  concur  entirely  in  th?  opin- 
icn  of  tiie  Commissary  General,  that  it  is  advisable  to  have  the  means 
of  making  purchases  at  pleasure,  during  the  grinding  season,  which 
ends  in  June  next. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  W.  RANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  War. 


'  CONFEDERATE   STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

SuBSISTENCK    DEPARTMENT, 

Richmond,  Sei)temhcv  15,  1862. 
Hon.  G.  W.  Ramjoh'ii, 

Secretary  of  IVar  : 

Sir  :  On  17th  July  last,  in  compliance  with  your  directions,  an  es- 
timate was  made  for  the  month  of  December.  I  added  an  estimate  for 
the  enhancement  of  prices  for  the  period  up  to  1st  December,  pre- 
viously provided  for  by  Congressional  appropriations.  Also,  an  es- 
timate for  procuring  meats  during  the  coming  season,  for  the  ensuing 
year.     I  now  submit  one  for  the  purchase  of  wheat. 

The  War  Department  has  hitherto  directed  estimates  to  be  made 
from  session  to  session.  This  Avill  not  suffice  now.  Without  special 
exertion  it  is  not  quite  certain  that  a  sufficiency  of  flour  can  be  had. 
The  loss  of  wheat  crops  in  a  great  portion  of  the  country  still  in  our 
possession — the  devastations  of  war  in  Virginia — the  loss  of  animal 
transportation,  and  labor  by  farmers — the  wearing  out  of  railroads 
and  stock,  and  destruction  of  bridges,  &c.,  kc,  conspired  to  make  the 
grinding  of  the  last  year  small,  and  the  moving  of  the  present  crop 
10  the  mills,  difficult. 

Flour  has  been  bought  to  the  full  extent  of  the  funds  available,  and 
had  to  be  distributed  for  the  period  for  which  those  funds  were  appro- 
priated. Throughout  the  country  east  of  the  Mississippi,  and  south 
of  Virginia,  flour  has  been  .sent  from  here  to  the  diff'erent  armies  in 
the  field,  because  every  exertion  to  supply  them  with  the  wheat  of  their 
respective  districts  has  proved  insufficient,  notwithstanding  that  the 
substitutes  of  corn-meal  and  rice  have  been  employed  as  fully  as  prac- 
ticable. You  will  remember  that  some  time  since,  I  had  to  present  to 
you  the  alternative  of  returning  to  a  seller  a  large  purchase  of  flour 
if  the  funds,  for  which  requi'sition  was  made,  should  not  be  forthcom- 
ing. It  has  been  bought  for  cash,  and  sold  low  in  consequence.  A 
plan  to  buy  wheat  and  have  it  ground,  has  been  arranged,  and  has 
been  approved  by  you.  You  will  of  course,  therefore,  approve  the 
estimate  made  for  eftccting  tlie  object  sought. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

•      L.  B.  NORTHROr.  C.   0.  S. 


SPECIAL    ESTIMATE 

Of  funds  required  for  the  purchase  of  Flour  for  the  ujie  of  C.  S.  Army, 
estimating  its  nuniber  at  475,000  men,  for  twelve  7nonths,  or  365  dnys. 
One-fifth  of  u'hole  number  Rations  being  deducted  foi'  t/ie  supply  of  thai 
proportion  of  Corn-meal,  viz  : 

Rations. 

475,000  men  for  365  days 173.375,000 

Add  one-eighth,  gives  Flour 21,671 ,875 

Or  Bread  rations 195,046,875 

Bushels. 

Reduced  to  barrels 995, 1 37 

Deduct  one-fifth  for  Meal 199,027 

Total  amount  required 796,1 10 

At  $12  per  barrel,  gives $9,553,320 

Deduct  two-sevenths  for  time  from  date  to   December 

31st 2,729,520 


6,823,800 


The  object  of  this  bureau  has  been  to  issue  Corn-meal  and  Rice  in 
lieu  of  Flour,  but  notwithstanding  the  general  impression,  it  is  a  fact 
that  the  troops  do  not  like  a  large  use  of  cither  substitute.  Further- 
more, as  this  department  has  to  provide  for  the  laborers  employed  to  work 
upon  gunboats,  fortifications,  and  other  public  purposes,  the  estimate 
is  not  too  large,  and  as  the  wheat  will  be  purchased  as  it  can  be  got 
in,  through  the  grinding  Season,  till  July  '63.  If  in  excess  of  de- 
mand, opei-ation  can  be  checked  and  the  money  not  ])eing  made  will 
not  wait  idle.  It  is  likewise  necessary  to  work  the  salt  mines  on  the 
Teche.  Furthermore,  before  the  fall  of  New  Orleans,  the  plan  of  lay- 
ing in  a  stock  of  sugar  and  molasses  for  twelve  months  was  instituted, 
but  soon  checked.  Another  plan  is  in  operation,  by  which  a  boat  load 
of  9t)0  hogsheads  was  landed  at  Vicksburg,  and  2,000  more  already 
purchased  at  from  three  to  four  cents.  While  the  opportunity  exists, 
it  is  desired  to  get  all  we  want.  For  neither  of  the  last  two  objects 
have  demands  been  made  at  this  time,  because  the  flour  fund  not  used 
at  once,  can  be  so  appropriated.  It  is  requisite  that  the  funds  asked 
for  be  granted,  L.  B.  NORTHROP,  C.  G,  S. 


PCQIIUllP^* 


